Founded in 2005.
Our primary goal is to provide psychological services to the local community of Berks county and surrounding areas.
We believe psychotherapy can benefit all individuals from early childhood through advanced aging. We understand it is difficult to make that first call to a psychologist's office. We guarantee a supportive and nonjudgmental experience from that first call and throughout treatment.
If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life.
We look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
BethAnn Shoudt, Psy. D.
Dr. BethAnn Shoudt works with individuals, families and couples. Dr. Shoudt works with a wide range of individuals across the lifespan. Areas of interest include developmental and behavioral disorders, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, and difficulty with adjusting to life struggles.
Dr. Shoudt’s approach to therapy is relationship based, believing that psychological healing takes place in the context of the therapy relationship. Dr. Shoudt also incorporates Christian faith-based treatment into therapy for individuals who are seeking this as part of treatment. All therapy relationships begin with an initial evaluation to identify the areas of struggle and then a treatment plan based on research and clinical practice is established.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Shoudt has done numerous presentations and lectures in the community. She has done in-service training for teachers on “Understanding the Emotional Language of Behavior in the Classroom.” She has done emotional wellness seminars for physicians, teachers and other professionals. She has also worked in classroom settings to help facilitate healthier and kinder relationships in classrooms and to promote psychological well-being for students.
Dr. Shoudt has been a Clinical Psychologist in Berks County for over 20 years. Dr. Shoudt truly loves being a psychologist and feels fortunate that her clients include her in parts of their life journey.
Melissa Reilly, Psy. D.
Dr. Reilly enjoys working with diverse individuals and families, extending from school-aged children to advanced aging adults. Areas of particular expertise and interest include working with adults facing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, parenting concerns, LBGT issues, and assisting those with medical conditions such as cancer and chronic illnesses. Through a comprehensive evaluation process, Dr. Reilly identifies the optimal mode of psychotherapy (individual, family, couples) and collaboratively lays out a tailored treatment plan with her clients.
Dr. Reilly's approach is holistic, recognizing the multidimensional nature of life, including physical health, family structure, education and vocation, spirituality, social roles, and developmental history, all of which influence a person's functioning. Treatment is uniquely crafted to meet the distinctive goals and needs of each client, grounded in psychological theory and research.
In addition to her clinical interests, Dr. Reilly is passionate about helping moms who don't have the guidance and support of a loving mom in their lives. This passion has led her to establish a specialized coaching practice, "Moms Without A Mom." Moreover, her dedication to helping mothers without maternal support has led her to author two empowering books, "Thriving as a Mom Without A Mom: Guidance for moms who don't have a supportive mother by their side" and "Nurturing Inner Strength: A Self-Discovery Journal for Moms without a mom." As a recognized TEDx Speaker, Dr. Reilly's insights and compassionate approach have reached a broader audience, solidifying her reputation as a trusted and empathetic advocate for those navigating the intricate pathways of motherhood without maternal guidance. Her work reflects not only professional expertise but a profound understanding of personal growth and resilience.
Dr. Reilly has been a clinical psychologist in Berks County for over 23 years. She obtained her Master’s and Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.) degrees from the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology at the University of Hartford. She is a native of the Catskill Mountains of New York, but has called Pennsylvania her home since 1998. She is an active member and leader within her Lutheran church. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, two Australian Labradoodles and Eclectus Parrot. Dr. Reilly is an avid reader of fiction, loves to be in nature and loves to travel.
Katie Nerney, Psy. D.
Dr. Katie Nerney is a licensed clinical psychologist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Denison University and her Doctorate of Psychology degree from the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University with a focus in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She obtained pre-doctoral training at the Widener University Counseling Center and Child Guidance Resource Center and her post-doctoral training at a group private practice where she saw individuals across the lifespan.
She is experienced in working with a multitude of issues, including ADHD, disruptive behavior, depression, and anxiety. Additional areas of interest and specialization include working with individuals with OCD, generalized anxiety, self-esteem issues, and parenting difficulties.
Dr. Nerney is the mother of four children and enjoys watching them learn and grow every day. She also enjoys swimming, going to the beach, and reading.
Julienne Balestrier, Psy.D.
Dr. Julienne Balestrier is a licensed clinical psychologist. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) degrees from William James College in Newton, MA. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Reading Hospital.
Dr. Balestrier works with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. She has experience working with a variety of mental health issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders, substance abuse, and relationship issues. She also has specific interest in working with clients around identity issues, including gender and sexuality. Dr. Balestrier typically employs a humanistic approach, with a variety of intervention techniques, depending on the nature of treatment and needs of the client. Dr. Balestrier uses a collaborative approach with an emphasis on client strengths and improving overall sense of self and wellbeing.
Dr. Balestrier is a native of Berks County. She is grateful to have the opportunity to provide therapy services in her hometown and to use her training and experience to help the residents of this community. In her personal life, Dr. Balestrier enjoys reading, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family.
Phillip Tietbohl, Ph.D.
Dr. Tietbohl helps children, adolescents, and adults grow, overcome obstacles, and flourish. In practice locally since 1994 and a licensed psychologist since 1995, he has been sharing conversations of caring with families and individuals dealing with a wide range of emotional struggles, challenges, and difficulties. He works with clients to explore feelings, revise narratives, and make changes in order to be more balanced, nurturing, and complete. He employs a strength-based approach, building on what is going well and tackling what is getting in the way of greater health. He celebrates all cultures and knows that diversity takes many forms, with some individuals experiencing greater adversity than others.
Dr. Tietbohl earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and both a Master’s degree in Education/School Psychology and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia. He has been trained in dynamic understandings, family systems, cognitive behavioral and other techniques and he tailors what is needed to an individual client’s symptoms, problems, or difficulties. He employs an integrative lens to understand clients for effective treatment.
Dr. Tietbohl also believes in the healing power of poetry as a therapeutic tool and employs this, when relevant. He has worked with over 100 groups from local libraries, schools, elder-care facilities, and the collaborative creation of a group poem has been a key part of most of those events. He presented on the therapeutic uses of poetry to several professional groups, also creating group poems in the process. In 2019, he published a book on Amazon, “Sailing to Calencia and Other Poems of Kindness, Understanding, and Love,” about an island on the equator where people are treated equally, with a portion of proceeds going to a charity. In 2022, he published “A Twist of Hope: Rhymes of Healing, Caring, and Love,” a therapeutic workbook with 11 themed chapters, each ending with writing prompts to further personal growth. His website, PoetryThatWorks.com has additional information. He likes to learn and speak different languages, take hikes with family and friends, and he continues to find wonder and awe on forays in Nature. He is married with 4, adult-children.
Cara Knaster, Psy.D.
Dr. Knaster (she/her) has been working in private practice since achieving licensure in 2013 while also working in the capacity of consultant in schools and eldercare facilities. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Gwynedd Mercy College, Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University, and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. Currently Dr. Knaster is also full-time faculty at Immaculata University.
Dr. Knaster completed clinical training working with children, adolescents, and adults across the life span in a variety of settings. During her Master’s Program she worked at Riverside Treatment Center in Washington, D.C. working with adolescents in Residential and Partial Hospitalization treatment programs. Associated with her doctoral level training, she performed pscyhoeducational assessments in the Parkland School District, provided therapy and a variety of psychological assessments at the Milton Hershey School, and provided therapy, psychological assessment, program development at NHS Human Services to adults in community mental health center. After graduation, Dr. Knaster completed supervised training at Growth Opportunity Center where she provided therapy and psychological assessment to clients, participated in supervising Master’s level trainees, managed the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment and Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Programs, and participated in program development.
Currently, Dr. Knaster works with adults to identify strengths to overcome barriers that lead individuals into treatment. She works with adults to identify difficulties that lead them to treatment and goals to overcome their adversities. She will engage with clients to build insight regarding their personal history empowering clients to make the changes that they desire to be happier with themselves, in their relationships, and in their communities. Dr. Knaster focuses on relationships and each individual’s functioning in a multitude of situations. Dr. Knaster has experience in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, marital and parenting problems, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. Dr. Knaster also works in the context of gender affirming care and in support of LGBTQ+ individuals.
MaryAnn Ferrese
MaryAnn is responsible for coordinating services from the initial contact and assists patients with billing and insurance concerns. MaryAnn manages all submissions to insurance companies and tracks copays and coinsurance. She respects all patients’ confidentiality. Patients find MaryAnn friendly and helpful.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding insurance or billing, please feel free to contact MaryAnn.
Jennifer Luigard
Jen is our administrative assistant and is primarily responsible for the intake paperwork and registering new patients. If there are any questions, Jen directs them to the proper person if needed. Confidentiality is a priority in her job. She has spent over a dozen years in early childhood education as an assistant director and teacher.
Please contact Jen regarding new patient information or any other questions.
